There’s a saying that you should separate business from personal matters.
I tend to agree with that.
If you recklessly pour personal feelings into official matters, you’re bound to stumble or fall.
Epherna was the same.
Even when her personality was set aside, whenever it was time to show the dignity of a princess, she would lower her eyes and voice without fail. Having seen that often, I knew.
There was definitely something different about her.
“The Stinger family was one I held in quite high regard. For three generations, they achieved significant accomplishments in magical studies, contributing to the development of the Imperial Court Mage Society. How could I see them in a negative light?”
Epherna wore a languid expression.
Although her current demeanor was the same as when she reprimanded nobles, I could detect a faint sense of ‘annoyance’ hidden within.
Epherna didn’t think it was annoying to judge nobles.
She actually enjoyed it.
Why? Because she could pick out and punish the faults of those who were already an eyesore to her.
“But, it was unsettling. Why would there be bad rumors circulating about a prestigious magical family that has served the imperial family faithfully for three generations? Rumors that they were plotting a rebellion, no less.”
“It’s, it’s a false accusation!”
“Yes. It must be a false accusation. How could someone who doesn’t even have the courage to end the life of a single Academy student be plotting a rebellion? I also believe that this matter has been grossly exaggerated.”
“…!!”
“Oh, by the way, I heard that the student whom the baron harmed has overcome the trauma and is living a vigorous life at the Academy. The funds you embezzled from the Imperial Court Mage Society have all been recovered from your private estate as well. Given that you’ve been embezzling diligently for several years, if you don’t gather the funds soon, you might face bankruptcy. You may even have to sell your noble title.”
With a faint smile, Epherna ordered the baron to be sent away.
Although the Stinger baronet pleaded to clear the misunderstanding, Epherna used forced teleportation to send him away. When did she even learn that?
Having handled a significant issue, Epherna sighed and took a sip of tea.
Though she had dealt with such matters several times over the past four years, the mental exhaustion was unavoidable.
Epherna then asked Valtean, who was beside her.
“And Mister? Isn’t it about time he returned?”
“He departed last night.”
“Is that so? …Hasn’t it been a few days?”
Epherna nodded in understanding and headed somewhere.
She intended to arrive early for Bergamot’s lesson, which was scheduled for about 30 minutes later.
“Your Highness, it’s time for your meal.”
“I’ll skip it today.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Skipping a meal?
Impossible. That can’t be.
Epherna was someone who had made a habit of maintaining a regular lifestyle to preserve her health.
This wasn’t a matter of whether I was present or not.
Even when we were apart for an extended period about two years ago, Epherna continued to lead a regular life, as Merien had told me.
Could there be something wrong with her body?
As I was about to entertain that thought, I suddenly recalled something.
– You haven’t been apart from Her Highness lately, have you?
– …Is that so? Oh, that’s right. Ever since before we went to the north, we’ve been together almost all day.
– Hah… If that’s the case, the side effects might be a bit severe… But it can’t be helped.
So, this is what the side effects are?
Meanwhile, Epherna quietly arrived at her room and started reading a book.
I couldn’t see her directly because I was busy with other matters, but I could sense it.
By appropriately combining my ability with detection magic, I had developed a detection spell that could be used without Epherna noticing.
A little while later, Bergamot arrived.
Having recently resolved the conflicts with the plains, she had been able to return to her role as Epherna’s tutor.
“You’re early today.”
“Ah, yes.”
Come to think of it, Epherna had started speaking more casually to Bergamot.
She had done so ever since the duchy, but realizing it now felt strange.
“Astra departed yesterday, didn’t he? You’ll probably feel lonely for a while.”
“…I’m fine. Let’s just start the lesson quickly.”
“You need something to focus on, right? Then how about we skip ahead two levels today?”
“Sounds good.”
And so, Epherna and Bergamot continued their lesson for about three hours.
*****
Other than Epherna’s somewhat disrupted routine, the days passed without much incident.
There were a few moments when she lost focus and bumped into walls, but overall, things went smoothly.
“Mister… why aren’t you here yet…?”
Or maybe not.
“When… will you come back?”
“The day after tomorrow, Your Highness.”
“Two more days…?”
“Yes.”
“…”
Her face had become even paler compared to a few days ago.
Her face was always pale, but now she looked almost ghostly.
“I need something to focus on. Bring me some work.”
“You worked through the night yesterday, even taking care of tomorrow’s tasks.”
“There must be something piled up. Bring that.”
“There is nothing left.”
“…Nothing? How is that possible?”
“It’s true. Most of the tasks you handle come organized from the Ministry of Finance, but the Minister is currently on vacation, so there’s no work available.”
“…Ah. That’s right.”
“How about taking a rest today?”
“No. I’ll just read a book.”
“Then what about your meal…?”
“I’ll skip it. Tell the chef I’m sorry. It’s not because the food isn’t good; I just don’t have an appetite these days.”
Are you even aware that you haven’t eaten anything since yesterday?
I was dying to say that, but right now, I wasn’t Ern Astra.
If I spoke carelessly, it wouldn’t just be my life at risk; the job of the servant I was disguised as could also be in danger.
Resisting the urge to force her to sit down and eat, I went to the library to bring her a book.
Since she had already read most of the books in the Imperial Palace, it took me some time to choose one.
When I returned with the book, I found Epherna staring blankly into space.
I thought maybe she was just sleepy, but that wasn’t it.
Epherna was muttering something to the empty air.
“Mister… why did you take so long…?”
Epherna was seeing a vision.
I wasn’t sure exactly what she was seeing, but I knew one thing.
This couldn’t go on any longer.
Turning away, I used magic to wash away my disguise.
I changed my voice back to normal and swapped the borrowed servant’s clothes for my own.
Fully back in my appearance as Ern Astra.
I turned back and approached Epherna.
“Your Highness.”
I called out, but there was no response.
Was she still lost in her vision?
I never imagined a few days apart would leave her in such a fragile mental state.
I placed my hand on her shoulder.
“Epherna. I’m here. Aren’t you going to greet me?”
I lightly tapped her cheek and waved my hand in front of her eyes.
As if her sense of reality was returning, a glimmer of light gradually reappeared in Epherna’s eyes.
“Mister…?”
“Yes, it’s me. Mister is back.”
Epherna remained still, dazed for a moment.
It took about three seconds for her to realize that what she was seeing wasn’t a vision.
“You’re really here?”
“Of course, I’m really here. Do I look like a fake?”
“You said you’d be back the day after tomorrow….”
“I missed you, so I came back early. Why?”
I touched Epherna’s cheek.
“You’ve lost so much weight in just a few days. You haven’t been eating properly, have you?”
“…I ate.”
“Oh, really? Should I ask the chamberlain?”
Epherna let out a small laugh.
“I didn’t eat.”
“Let’s go eat. I haven’t eaten either.”
Epherna stood up from her chair.
She walked around the desk and wrapped her arms around my arm.
“Mister, you really came back, right?”
“What’s with you? We were only apart for a few days.”
“A day felt like a year.”
“Aren’t you exaggerating a bit?”
“Do you want me to show you through my actions?”
“…Huh?”
Smooch.
It happened in an instant. The soft touch that had brushed against my cheek vanished just as quickly.
When I tilted my head and looked at Epherna, she blushed and started making excuses.
“…We’re engaged, aren’t we? Who knows what more will happen later, so I need to get used to it. It’s just a test, like a trial run.”
*****
Those b*stards. They’re acting like he doesn’t even exist, huh?
If they’re going to act like that in front of him, they might as well just get together already.
“Damn it… Why do I feel so lonely even though I’m married?”
Valtean gritted his teeth.
He was about to punch the wall in his rising anger but held back, realizing he was in Epherna’s office.
“That Ern… something’s changed about him.”
In the past, he would have drawn a clear line.
He would have said no, firmly and unequivocally, using the age difference or whatever excuse to drive a wedge into Epherna’s heart.
Was their engagement the key trigger?
Definitely not.
Ern and Epherna’s engagement stemmed from an incident at the Katia Duchy.
It was more of a contractual engagement, meant to last only until the rumors died down.
Ern should know that better than anyone.
“…Seems like something has indeed changed.”
Whatever it is, it’s a good change.
At least now, he can feel some of that frustration easing away.
Come to think of it, isn’t it almost time for Epherna to enroll in the Academy?
It would be great if something dramatic happened there, but with how peaceful the Academy is, it’s unlikely.
Either Epherna gets a love interest or she doesn’t.
“What should I prepare for the wedding gifts?”
Valtean, who had never attended anyone else’s wedding, pondered seriously.
